City bike tyres

It goes without saying that the so-called city bike is a bicycle that is designed primarily for use in the city. This means: smoother, hard surfaces, ideally a low weight, and good puncture protection are of benefit. The terms "city bike" and "trekking bike" are often used synonymously. Both types of bike and tyre cover similar areas of use. However, bicycle tyres for trekking bikes are generally intended for longer distances and changing surfaces. As for city bike tyres, the focus is on road riding.

The perfect bicycle tyres for the city

It is worthwhile taking note of which tyres were actually fitted when purchasing an everyday bike, and checking whether they are ideal for the respective area of application, or whether they are actually suitable at all. And of course, appearance will also have a role to play. As with all tyres, the tread that is best for your city bike tyres will depend on the terrain.

In contrast to racing tyres, models for city bikes have a tread and are not completely flat. When riding in the city, it must also be assumed that you will be riding primarily on hard surfaces such as tarmac, however, if you regularly take a detour through the wooded city park, things will look a little different. On standard city bikes, the tread profile is not particularly pronounced – especially in comparison to an MTB. If the tread profile is barely visible, this is presumably a sign of wear.

But what do the different tread types really mean?

Little to no tread:

• Lowest roll resistance
• Good grip on tarmac and similar surfaces
• Little grip on damp, loose surfaces or snow
• Greatest possible contact between the road surface and the tyres

More pronounced tread:

• Good grip, even in wet conditions
• Slightly heavier weight
• Wider area of application, e.g. suitable for trips in nature.

City bike tyres are also generally a little wider – this is also on-trend at the moment. They have the advantage of a larger contact surface. This means they can be used with a lower air pressure, which increases ride comfort. The tyre width is based, for one thing, on the bike you are using – not all tyre widths are suitable for every frame. Here the brakes can get in the way of the rims, for example.

For all those who wish to change and maintain their tyres themselves, but have no prior knowledge, tubeless tyres are something of an obstacle in everyday use. A classic clincher or folding tyre with a butyl tube can be the better option in this case – and here too, there are now some models that tick practically every box when it comes to puncture protection. This is thanks to additional protective layers and special rubber compounds, which the popular manufacturers – Schwalbe, Continental, MAXXIS and Michelin – are continually improving.